The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is committed to recognising the endeavours of those at the beginning of their scientific research journeys and showcasing their remarkable work to a wider audience. Help us find and celebrate exceptional early-career researchers who demonstrate potential to achieve world-leading status and are making outstanding contributions to research across the breadth of pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sciences.
Following the success of OPERA 2023, we are pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the 2024 award.
Courtesy of Royal Pharmaceutical Society
For guidance on the nomination process and what to include in the application, please read the information below and fill out the nomination form.
The RPS is committed to making inclusion and diversity central to the way we champion the pharmacy profession, and this commitment extends to its award recipients. We encourage eligible candidates from across the pharmacy research community to apply, to ensure that the shortlist and eventual winner is truly representative of our members and profession.
Thank you for nominating and we look forward to reading your entry.
How to nominate someone
Nominations can be submitted by anyone with the permission of the nominee. Self-nominations are also permitted.
Individuals can submit a nomination by completing the nomination form.
Please ensure all the required information in the nomination form is provided. We will be unable to accept partially completed nominations.
Successful nominations will contain substantial, quantitative evidence relating to the originality, quality, and scientific merit of outputs; impact, translation, and application of research for the field of pharmacy; and independence, creativity, and public engagement of the researcher. Those self-nominating will also need to include testimonials from relevant others, such as researchers, employers or funders.
The deadline for nominations has been extended to 23:59 on 21 February 2024.
Who can nominate?
We invite nominations from any individual with in-depth knowledge of the nominee’s research and achievements. We would ask that individuals only nominate one nominee, if possible, as we aim to publish a diverse shortlist of early-career researchers from a wide variety of disciplines and locations.
Who can be nominated?
Anyone who fulfils the following criteria will be considered for the shortlist:
- Early career, at the time of nomination undertaking: a predoctoral training Fellowship; doctoral training; post-doctoral research (having obtained their PhD within the past five years, pro rata, and excluding career breaks) — or equivalent research authorship experience;
- Making a major contribution as author to high-quality research papers and demonstrating potential to achieve world-leading status in their field;
- Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, either in the UK or worldwide;
- Actively engaged in research, which is genuinely grounded in pharmacy.
Who are we looking for?
Nominees will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Originality, quality, and scientific merit of outputs;
- Impact, translation, and application of research for the field of pharmacy;
- Independence, creativity, and public engagement of the researcher.
The Pharmaceutical Journal team and external panel of judges will take the individual circumstances and diversity of candidates into account when drawing up the final shortlist. You will also have the option to submit any information on protected characteristics, or other personal factors, that may be relevant to the application and should be considered when reviewing the nomination.
Examples of evidence could include:
- Journal publication record;
- Data about the publications, including citations, h-index, impact factors and wider reach;
- Conference presentations;
- Invited talks and their details;
- Publications in trade and professional journals;
- Public engagement events including dates, attendee details and any feedback from attendees;
- News coverage of the research, including active media engagement;
- Testimonials from colleagues and/or patients and the public;
- Local recognition of success; for example, prizes, awards.
Please ensure the evidence is as recent as possible. Incomplete evidence will be accepted and considered only in the context of the whole application.
How will my nomination be judged?
Nominations will be assessed by The Pharmaceutical Journal team and a panel of external judges to create a shortlist.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a statement or audio summary of their research in terms of its scientific merit and application to pharmacy (up to 1,000 words).
The shortlist will be published in The Pharmaceutical Journal (see the OPERA 2023 shortlisted nominees).
The overall winner will receive:
- Glass trophy with inscription and formal certificate;
- Coverage of their work by The Pharmaceutical Journal, including an interview;
- Invitation to the winner to give a 30-minute presentation about their work at an RPS annual conference (see the OPERA 2023 winner’s presentation highlights).
For more information:
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact us at: editor@pharmaceutical-journal.com
Nomination form:
To open the nomination form in a new browser window, click this link.
The deadline for nominations has been extended to 23:59 on 21 February 2024.
